People rush to buy condoms and pregnancy test kits, millions of pets receive gifts, and the price of roses peaks during Valentine’s Day are some interesting facts surrounding the holiday.
Interesting Facts About Valentine’s Day
- Women Spend Less on Valentine’s Day
- Condom Sales Surge on February 14th
- Pregnancy Test Kits Sell Out in the Days Following
- Roses Are Most Expensive on Valentine’s Day
- Millions of Pets Receive Gifts on Valentine’s Day
- Women Don’t Need Men on Valentine’s Day
- Romance is Just a Small Part of Valentine’s Day
- Women Prefer Postcards Over Flowers
- Flowers Are a Man’s Best Friend
- Japanese Men Receive Gifts on Valentine’s Day
- Americans Send 141 Million Valentine’s Cards Each Year
- Valentine’s Day Has Dark Origins
- Saint Valentine Was Not Just One Person
- The First Valentine’s Cards Were Sent in the 15th Century
Women Spend Less on Valentine’s Day
Women in love cherish Valentine’s Day, but a study shows they tend to spend less on this occasion. According to 2009 statistics, American men spend an average of $150 on gifts for their partners, while women only spend half that amount.
Condom Sales Surge on February 14th
Condoms sell well on Valentine’s Day. (Image: Blogspot).
According to sales statistics from Durex, a leading condom manufacturer, sales on Valentine’s Day increase by 25% compared to regular days. This fact helps explain why men tend to spend more on Valentine’s Day.
Pregnancy Test Kits Sell Out in the Days Following
Statistics show that sales of pregnancy test kits peak in the latter half of February and the first half of March. This is an inevitable result of the exciting activities that take place beforehand.
Roses Are Most Expensive on Valentine’s Day
The high demand for flowers on Valentine’s Day causes prices to soar. In the U.S., the cost of roses increases by 30% compared to regular days. Some bouquets can even reach $100 on February 14th.
Millions of Pets Receive Gifts on Valentine’s Day
February 14th is not only a day for couples to express their affection, but many people also choose this day to buy expensive gifts for their pets. According to a survey, approximately 9 million people buy gifts for their pets every Valentine’s Day.
Women Don’t Need Men on Valentine’s Day
Many women buy flowers for themselves on Valentine’s Day. (Image: Blogspot)
It’s quite common to see a female colleague holding a bouquet of bright red roses in the workplace on Valentine’s Day. However, an independent survey confirms that 15% of American women send flowers to themselves on February 14th to maintain their dignity in front of colleagues.
Romance is Just a Small Part of Valentine’s Day
Gift companies in the U.S. confirm that their customers spend the most on gifts for teachers on Valentine’s Day. Other recipients include children, mothers, wives, and girlfriends. Clearly, the revenue from romance constitutes the smallest proportion of this love-celebrating day.
Women Prefer Postcards Over Flowers
On Valentine’s Day, women still tend to spend more cautiously compared to men. They prioritize feelings over gifts. For this reason, women often choose to buy postcards, which account for 80% of revenue for companies producing these items on Valentine’s Day.
Flowers Are a Man’s Best Friend
While women send postcards to their husbands and boyfriends, 70% of men buy flowers to give to their wives or loved ones on Valentine’s Day. For men, flowers are considered the best way to win over women. They are also something that can be reused multiple times.
Japanese Men Receive Gifts on Valentine’s Day
Japanese women give chocolate to men on February 14th. (Image: thefutureofhealthnow.com)
On Valentine’s Day, Japanese men receive chocolate gifts from women. Men don’t need to give gifts on this day. However, on White Day, which is celebrated a month later, the recipients of the gifts must return the favor to the gift givers, often with gifts valued at two to three times more than what they received.
Americans Send 141 Million Valentine’s Cards Each Year
The number of cards sent exceeds all other holidays except Christmas. It’s heartwarming to note that teachers often receive the most Valentine’s cards, followed by children, mothers, and wives.
Valentine’s Day Has Dark Origins
Historians state that Valentine’s Day actually began in ancient Rome as a festival of the pagan Lupercalia. The festival included animal sacrifices and the beating of women with animal skins until they bled to determine their fertility. Not romantic at all!
In the 1300s, Valentine officially became a holiday associated with love and romance.
The holiday was reformed through Christianity: no more animal sacrifices. It was celebrated in mid-February because many believed that birds began their mating season on February 14th (which is also why doves are often associated with love).
The First Valentine’s Cards Were Sent in the 15th Century
However, it wasn’t until the 17th century that people began exchanging letters and cards. By the 1840s, Valentine’s cards were not mass-produced.
Saint Valentine Was Not Just One Person
In fact, Saint Valentine could refer to two or three different individuals. However, the most well-known “founder” was one who opposed Emperor Claudius II. At that time, Claudius had banned marriage because he believed it distracted soldiers. Valentine thought otherwise, so he married couples illegally. He was subsequently arrested. After being sentenced to death, young couples would visit his cell and bring him flowers and cards. The exact date of his death is unknown, so February 14th was chosen as a commemorative date.
There have been many Saint Valentines throughout history, including one who was a pope.
This year, Valentine’s Day will fall on Wednesday, February 14, 2024.
